Saturday, February 18, 2023

πŸ’πŸ’‹πŸ’˜Saturday's Series SpotlightπŸ’˜πŸ’‹πŸ’: Bake Sale Bachelors Season Three Part 1



Salted Caramel Chaos by Jena Wade
Summary:
Season Three #1
Salty and sweet with just a bit of heat.

Alpha Heath, better known as Hammer, might look like a big bad biker, but he has a soft spot the size of his bike. After spending time at the local hospital in the children’s wing visiting on of his club member’s kids, he wants to do something to help them. The Bachelor Candy Auction to raise money for the children’s hospital seems like the perfect opportunity, even if it is a stuffy event that he wouldn’t normally attend.

His donation might not be much, but anything to help the children. And maybe—just maybe—the date that went along with it might be fun.

Omega Devon loves his job as a children’s entertainer. It allows his creativity to shine and to just have fun, its just easier to be around kids. Some days he does a magic act, other days he’s a clown (not the scary kind), and he even dresses up as storybook characters for story time at the local hospital. He enjoys his life in Clearvale, but at night the loneliness sets in. If only it was as easy to talk to alphas as it was to pretend to be a prince for the kids.

When Heath wins the bid for the most delicious caramels he’s ever tasted, he gets more than a delicious snack—he wins a date with the sweetest omega he’s ever laid eyes on. But will be it over before it can even start as Devon’s insecurities get in the way of his happiness?

Salted Caramel Chaos is a super sweet with knotty heat opposites attract mm non-shifter mpreg romance featuring an awkwardly adorkable omega who lights up the room with his smile, a sexy biker who doesn’t only wear leather when he rides, a club that gives back, true love, an adorable baby, and a guaranteed happily ever after. If you like your mpreg sweeter than candy, your happily ever afters complete with a bundle of joy, and found family, this installment of Bake Sale Bachelors is for you. While each book in the Bake Sale Bachelors series is set in the same world, they can each be read as standalones.




Lollipop Lovin' by Lorelei M Hart 
Summary:
Season Three #2
Sometimes a lollipop isn’t the only thing you want to lick.

Omega Phil has lived in Clearvale most all of his life. He loves his job as the local veterinarian, his old farmhouse, and his cat Rainbow. The only thing missing is someone to share it all with. He thought he had that once, but careers sent him and his love to opposite sides of the globe.

Alpha Hugh trained with the best, creating award-winning sugar art. He has trophies, accolades aplenty, and can work for the finest of establishments. And, for a long time, that was what he wanted. Everything changes when he sees his childhood home for sale on an old-home social media page. He doesn’t think twice, submitting an offer and crossing his fingers. He feels it's the sign he’d been waiting for, the sign that it was time to go home.

When Hugh’s offer is accepted, he wastes no time flying back, and his old neighbor William wastes even less time convincing him to donate to the Valentine’s Day auction for the new children’s wing at the local hospital. If his candy can help even a little bit, how could he say no? He doesn’t realize there’s a date attached to it and that the winner of said date might be what he was really coming home to.

Lollipop Lovin’ is a second chance super sweet with knotty heat mm non-shifter mpreg romance featuring an omega veterinarian, the omega who got away, a puppy who decided it was time to pick a family, snuggles—so many snuggles, an adorable baby, and a guaranteed happily ever after. If you like your mpreg sweeter than candy, your happily ever afters complete with a bundle of joy, and your mpreg with heart, this installment of Bake Sale Bachelors is for you. While each book in the Bake Sale Bachelors series is set in the same world, they can each be read as standalones.




Marzipan Magic by Leyla Hunt
 
Summary:
Season Three #3
A lot of heat, a lot of sweet...

Alpha Hudson is a prize-winning architect who hasn't dated anyone seriously since his daughter's omega dad passed away three years ago, nor has he felt ready to. But when his sister implores him to attend the Bachelor Candy Auction in support of the children's hospital in Clearvale, he couldn't possibly say no. The omega he meets there triggers his sweet tooth in the most magical way possible, but is he ready to let go of the past and jump into something new, something unknown?

Omega Paul's attempt at running his own restaurant in the big city was an abject failure, much to his disappointment, so he's back in Clearvale after six long years. Meeting a hot alpha seems more elusive than ever, so he throws caution to the wind and enters the Bachelor Candy Auction with a delectable marzipan entry and a tempting date, to boot! He could only hope the match isn't a complete dud; he's had his share of disappointments. When he sees the alpha who's won his date, he knows his marzipan isn't the only thing that's finger-licking good.

Marzipan Magic is a delectable mm non-shifter mpreg romance featuring a hopeful omega restaurateur, a somewhat jaded alpha, a fluffy kitten always into everything, a sassy four year old girl, plenty of knotty heat, and a happily ever after that you won't forget. While each book in the Bake Sale Bachelors series is set in the same world, they can each be read as standalones.



Salted Caramel Chaos by Jena Wade
Chapter One 
Devon 
I walked into the ballroom wearing my borrowed tux and a confused expression on my face. I did a full three-sixty turn, staring wide-eyed at the various ornate details of the room we were in for the bachelor auction. 

This hotel was known for being the most expensive and most prestigious in the area. They had donated the use of their ballroom for this event, and I would wager that ninety percent of the people in attendance had never stepped inside this place before. Myself included. 

Waiters in tuxes carrying trays full of champagne flutes walked around gracefully. People grabbed their drinks, barely giving the waitstaff a second glance. The band played soft music to fill the air with that ritzy feel. I couldn’t identify the song. It was classical, maybe? Music wasn’t really my thing.

The flooring was all marble, and marble pillars ran the length of the wall, meeting the ceiling and stretching out into a peak that held a chandelier made up of the finest crystal. Goodness, it was thirty or more feet in the air. If anyone could find a way to trip and break the thing, it would be me. I had to watch my step. 

I took a deep breath, rolling my shoulders back and trying to shake off the clumsiness that had plagued me my entire life. So much so that I'd made a career out of my clumsiness as a children's entertainer, a clown, if you will. In my opinion, it was the best gig in the world, and I enjoyed it, though it was difficult to explain to the average person what it was that I did and how I could possibly make a career out of that. There was nothing better than seeing children laugh and bringing joy to their faces. As an omega, I loved children and being around them came natural to me. Not that it was a requirement, and, in any case, it was something that came with the territory. Which was why I signed up for this somewhat barbaric event. 

The fundraising chair on the board of directors for the children’s hospital heard about the success of the bachelor auctions, somewhere in a town in Wisconsin in which the community center had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for themselves simply by auctioning off baked goods that came tied with a date and a bachelor. So here we were doing a similar event in the hopes of replicating their success. Only our “items” were candies, either bought or made ourselves. Since I didn't have all the money in the world and I needed to also provide the date that would go along with the candies, I had made a treat that was one of my favorites. It was a tradition passed down from my aunt to me. Candied pretzels.

I held the container in my hand in a firm grip. Inside were the assortments of candy-coated pretzels decorated with reds and whites for the Valentine holiday. Though looking at the elaborate setup that lined the wall, with various candies from colorful lollipops to rainbow taffy, my brow sweated with embarrassment. 

Was I supposed to just set my treats down in the Tupperware container I carried them in? That didn't seem right. I bit my lip, looking around. For what? A crystal dish to appear in front of me as if by magic? That wasn’t going to happen. Some of my children's entertainment bits required that I play a magician or a prince, but in real life, I was neither of those things. Nothing just landed in my lap when I needed it. Thankfully, one of the waitstaff took pity on me. 

“Hello there, can I grab you a serving dish?” she said with a smile. 

I grinned and let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you. That would be great.” 

She came back quickly with exactly what I was picturing as a stand display for my pretzels. I took the lid off my container and stared at the plate. How did I… I had no idea how to best present these. Theater I could do, but staging food? That wasn’t in my wheelhouse. 

“Let me, sir.” She took the candy pretzels out one by one and placed them in a way that made it look a thousand times more elegant than what I was thinking.

“Thank you,” I said. “Thank you so much.” I read over my place card describing my date. All it said about me was that I was an omega and that our date would be a dinner at restaurant and a carriage ride through the park. It seemed good enough for me. With the right person, that would be exactly the kind of date that I would enjoy. 

I walked along the table, taking in all of the other candies. Many of the candies and date descriptions were way more elaborate than what I had gone for. Immediately I felt that embarrassment again. I took a deep breath. This was for the children. This was not about me and the date that I could provide. 

All the money raised would go directly to the children’s wing of the hospital, and due to the contract my company had with the hospital, I knew those children very well. They knew me as a magician, a clown, and Fitzwilliam, the crowned Prince of Cardoa. He was a character in a popular children’s movie in which the prince refuses to marry the princess chosen for him and instead the two of them go on a quest to search for his princess throughout his kingdom, only to find that she was with him all along. It a was cute, if not simple, children’s story that broke some box office records. 

A couple talking as they walked nearly bumped into me, and I dashed out of the way to avoid them, only to bump into a waiter carrying a half full tray. He recovered and gave me a tight smile as he walked away. I didn't know that many people there, and even if I did, I wasn't sure that I would be chit-chatting with them. If I even tried, I'd likely trip over myself or say something completely silly.

I stood around awkwardly, and several steps away from the candy table so that I wasn’t hanging around where everyone else was. I should find my seat and sit down. What did one do at these events? Who was I supposed to socialize with? 

Somehow Pascal found me. He was the activities director for the children's hospital, who for some reason liked to speak with me a lot. I liked him just fine, he was a very nice guy. I just wasn’t sure what he saw in me. 

“Glad you could make it, Devon!” he said, and he put his arm around my back in a side hug. 

He was an omega also, single, I thought, but I wasn’t sure. It wasn't like he was after me or anything like that, not that any alpha would be either. I still didn't quite understand why he sought me out sometimes. Every once in a while, he even asked me to go out for drinks after work. Sometimes I took him up on that and we enjoyed a few drinks at a local bar; most times I didn't go out, though. My therapist insisted that he wanted to be friends and that I should put more effort into hanging out with him. I thought he was just being nice, since he was incredibly social and I was not. 

“Are you up for auction as well?” I asked. 

“Yes, but I've got a friend of my brother’s who's going to purchase me. He doesn't want to date any more than I do. And it's just easier this way.”

“Oh, I didn't think about doing that.” 

Pascal put a finger to his lips in a shushing motion. “Don't tell anyone. You'll get me in trouble.” 

“Oh, I won't,” I said, serious as can be. 

Pascal laughed. “I helped to do the seating arrangements, since I was on the fundraising committee, and I put you next to me. Want to come sit down?” 

I thanked my lucky stars, and Pascal. I didn’t have to worry about making small talk with people I didn’t know. “Sure. Do I need to be backstage? I haven’t read through any of the instructions for the auction yet.” 

“Oh, not yet. They'll call us up in order. We have a whole written agenda on our plates.” 

“Oh, perfect.” 

I may not have understood why Pascal was interested in being friends with me, but I was grateful for it. I wasn’t really looking forward to sitting there all night by myself. 

Pascal linked his fingers into mine and tugged me along. “Come on. You have to try the hors d'oeuvres. They’re so good.”

“I kind of like the look of the candy dishes,” I admitted. 

“I know, right? Got to find out where some of these people got those from. Or maybe just steal a few.” We both laughed at that. 

Since we weren't purchasing, we didn't get to sample the goods. We grabbed a small plate and filled up on some of the finger food that was available. 

We sat down at our table and I looked over the instructions for the event. 

“Seems straightforward enough,” I said. 

“Yeah, thank goodness we got in touch with that community center in Wisconsin. They gave us so much information to work with. The event practically planned itself.” 

“Still, you all put in a lot of work for this. I’m sure it’s going to be great.” 

Pascal’s eyes lit up. “It will. We’ve already got the money earmarked for certain things—new equipment, new toys, new decorations for the kids. Anything to brighten up the area for them.”

I grinned. Even if I felt like an outsider for the event and it meant I had to have an awkward date with some random alpha, at least the children would get something out of it. I knew Pascal would make sure the money went to the right cause.





Lollipop Lovin' by Lorelei M Hart 
Chapter One 
Phil 
“Sylvia, I’m going to stop by the Jenkins’ place to check on Jasper and probably head home from there.” Technically, I wasn’t a traveling vet. I had an office and more than enough appointments to keep me busy. But, sometimes, going to the animal was better for them, or sometimes for the people, and I made exceptions all the time. 

Too often, if you asked Sylvia. She thought people took advantage of me, and maybe they did, but if it meant their critter had a better life for it, I couldn’t be sorry about that. 

“Yeah, okay.” She was flipping through a folder on her desk, only half listening to me. I really needed to head the office in the direction of paperless. 

“So…I’m going to go now.” 

Her head snapped up. “Wait. There was a message.” She grabbed a different pile of papers and flipped through them. “They stopped by when you were in surgery.” She handed me an envelope. 

“Thanks.” It had my name handwritten on the front. They had planned to stay, if I were to guess. “Say what they wanted?” 

“It was someone from a charity, I think. They were looking for donations.” 

“Why didn’t you just write them a check?” I was very fortunate, and if I could give back, I always did. I even had a fund Sylvia could pull from. 

“They said it wasn’t that kind of donation.” 

“I’ll check it out after I look in on Jasper. Thanks for locking up.” I shoved the envelope into my pocket.

“Thanks for paying my mortgage,” she teased back. 

The Jenkins lived on the way out of town…in the opposite direction from my house. I didn’t mind traveling there. Mr. Jenkins had been struggling with some mobility issues, and wrangling a cat into a cat carrier was not fun on a good day, much less when bending over hurt. I loved Jasper, but he was an ornery one when he felt amazing, and a repaired ACL did not equal feeling amazing. 

Mr. Jenkins greeted me at the door, and the second I stepped inside, Jasper took off. 

“I guess his knee is feeling better,” I teased. It didn’t mean that, of course. Cats when scared have super powers. I was sure of it. 

“He’s feeling well enough to hit me in the head in the morning to do his bidding and get him his breakfast, that’s for sure. I’ll get Jasper out.” He shut the door behind us and went into the kitchen, coming back out with a bag of cat treats. 

Sure enough, Jasper chose his belly over his fear, and I was able to get a decent enough look to see that it was healing nicely. 

“No sign of infection.” I was quite pleased with that. The last time I had seen him, it was looking pretty angry. I gave him some antibiotics, and it looked like they were working. “And he’s walking on it well.” 

“Thanks, Doc. Let me get my checkbook.” 

“Or…you could donate to the local shelter next time you get a chance instead.” Billing outside of the office was a pain, and Jasper’s surgery had already cost more than he could probably afford. But, while I did surgeries, that one was outside my comfort zone, and I’d referred him out, leaving me without the ability to price adjust. 

“I could do that.” His shoulder relaxed. “You really are the best, Doc.”

“Sylvia would disagree, thanks to the mounds of paperwork I left her with today.” She didn’t mind usually, but the pile she had today…oww. 

We said our goodbyes, and I headed back to the car. It was cold but not as cold as it usually was this time of year, which I appreciated. 

I decided instead of heading home, I would grab some dinner at my favorite diner. I loved my life here in Clearvale. I had a great career, the home of my dreams, and my pain in-the-butt cat who I loved to the moon and back, even if he liked to hide my gloves. But there were nights like this, nights when the idea of going home and having no one but my fur baby to talk to just didn’t appeal to me. 

Once upon a time, I saw my life so differently. Hugh and I were going to graduate, get mated, and live here happily ever after. But then he got the opportunity of a lifetime and crossed the ocean. At first, I thought he’d go there, perfect his trade, and then come back here. But, with his talent, I should’ve known better. He was scooped up by some prestigious place in California so fast, it probably gave him whiplash. I was happy for him and all he achieved. That didn’t mean I didn’t still miss him all these years later. 

The family restaurant was already pretty packed when I got there, but, as a party of one, I found a spot at the counter without too much trouble. 

“Your usual?” Sam, one of the servers, asked as I took my seat. 

“Yeah.” 

Sam went to the back counter and got my coffee, setting it in front of me, along with a roll of silverware. “Whatcha eating? I should warn you ahead of time that we have pie…good pie, and you might want to start with that.” Sam always was a dessert-first person. 

“I think I’ll risk it. I’ll take the special.” I hadn’t even looked to see what it was, but it would be delicious. It always was. 

“Gravy on or on the side?” 

And it looked like dinner came with gravy. No one could ever be sad about that. 

“On, please.” 

He promised it would be right out and brought the ticket to the window. 

As I toyed with whether or not I wanted to read the special board behind me or be totally surprised, my phone buzzed in my pocket. 

I fished it out and the envelope I’d stuffed in there came out with it and fluttered to the floor. 

Can you come in at 7 tomorrow morning for the Hansons? It was Sylvia. 

I’ll be there. There was no reason for me not to be. Anything I need to know? 

Hot spot is all. 

I set my phone on the counter and climbed off my stool to grab the envelope, sat again, and pulled out the contents. 

It was a liaison from the local hospital who was helping one of their patients fill out the paperwork for a service animal. They wanted me to donate my vet services because the child in question’s family didn’t financially qualify without it. 

Like I could say no to that. What person with a heart would? 

“Sam. Hold my spot? I need to make a work call.” He gave me a nod, his arms balancing more plates than I’d ever dare. 

I went out to my car, where it was quiet enough to hear myself think, and called the number on the form. 

“Hello, this is Ash,” they answered on the first ring.

“Hi, this is Phil. You stopped by to see me about a donation?” 

As heartbreaking as it was reading the letter, hearing the story of the child and her family who had fundraised the entire cost of the service animal only to be told they didn’t earn enough to have them nearly had me in tears. 

“I’d love to help.” What good were my skills if I didn’t. 

“Fabulous. Can I stop by your office tomorrow with the paperwork?” The relief in their voice told me they were the exact person for their position. 

“Absolutely. I have an appointment at seven that should be done by seven fifteen or so if you want to stop on your way to work.” Thank you, Hansons. “Or you can call in the morning and ask Sylvia what time I have available. I’m happy to fill out any paperwork you need and, seeing as they will be my patient, I’d also be happy to provide their dog food as well.” We sold limited varieties, but I could hook them up nicely. 

“Thank you.” Their voice cracked. “I’ll see you in the morning.” 

I walked back inside and, as I sat down, chicken and gravy was placed in front of me. 

Best dinner ever.





Marzipan Magic by Leyla Hunt 
PAUL 
An almost imperceptible knock at the door interrupted my hairstyling efforts, and I drew in a breath. That must be my sister, Ember, here to pick me up for the auction. 

“Meow!” I looked down and there stood Leo, staring up at me with his big green eyes. He was a gorgeous Maine Coon mix kitten I’d rescued shortly after New Year Day. It had been a bitterly cold night, and I knew right away that he’d be mine. Of course, I’d checked whether he belonged to anyone before claiming him as my own for good, and it’s been smooth sailing ever since, with just the two of us in my tiny apartment. 

“Hi, Leo. You’re going to have the place to yourself tonight. Be a good boy for daddy, okay?” 

He meowed again and jumped up on the toilet, expecting me to continue my prep for the night. 

“Let’s get the door, boy!” 

I hastily ran a hand through my hair and practically skipped the ten steps to the front door. My apartment was small and cozy, just the way I liked it. 

Ember’s smiling face beamed at me as I swung open the door. 

“Sis! Come in. You’re a bit early, but that means you get to help me get ready!”

“And help calm your nerves,” she said, handing me a bottle of wine. “I’m so glad you invited me along. I’ve been needing a night out, and I know you can use the company. What are big sisters for?” she asked. 

She shrugged off her winter coat and pulled off her boots. At twenty-seven, she was only a year older than me, but she’d never miss an opportunity to rub it in my face. 

“Thank you so much. You don’t understand how badly I needed you tonight. I am a bit nervous—is it that obvious?” The throbbing of my heart was a dead giveaway to me, but the fact that she could tell I was a ball of nerves made me even more anxious. 

“Well, your cheeks are only as red as my sweater,” she said with a chuckle and a sweet smile. 

Ah, shit. The fact that I blushed so easily was the bane of my existence. Sometimes I felt that I wore my heart on my sleeve—or rather, my face. I’d make a horrible poker player. 

“Good point. Let’s crack this baby open,” I said, clutching the bottle of merlot she’d handed me and leading her to the kitchen. 

“Oh, yum! Those look amazing!” she said when she laid eyes on my marzipan creations spread out on trays on the dining table. 

I followed her to the dining room and admired my own masterpieces. I’d chosen an animal theme and there were little pigs, squirrels, raccoons, and chickens. I’d spent the better part of four days on these little candies, and they tasted just as good as they looked, even if I did say so myself. 

She glanced at me expectantly, so I motioned toward the candies. “Go ahead and help yourself,” I said. “I hope they’re okay. I know how much you love marzipan.”

“Awesome,” she said, picking up a little piglet and popping it in her mouth. “Wow, this is amazing, Paulie. You’re the best, you know that? No one in their right mind will be able to resist these. You’re going to meet someone fabulous tonight, I can just feel it.” 

Her words meant so much to me and I hoped she was right. It was difficult to put myself out there, and at first, I had definitely been hesitant to put myself up for auction, but I was so, so hoping to meet someone special. I’ve had my disappointments over the years, but I haven’t given up yet. There was true love out there, I knew it. 

When I’d first heard about the bachelor candy auction, I’d been skeptical. Would I have the guts to put myself out there in that way? What if I was won by a serial killer or a narcissist or some weirdo who’d break my heart? I’d told Ember about the auction, and she’d convinced me to throw my hat in the race. It was for a good cause, after all. All the proceeds would go to a local children’s hospital, so how could I say no? 

The idea was to prepare a candy, and marzipan was my specialty, so the choice was obvious. We also had to come up with an idea for a date to take our winners on, and the whole package would be put up for auction. Bidders would taste the candy and read the date description, and the highest bidder on each package would win the prize. In my case, the date would consist of a day at a Scandinavian spa about an hour away, and if things went well, I could extend it for the whole night. One could only dream, right? I just hoped the initial date didn’t end up being a dud, because I wanted to take full advantage of the night to follow. 

“I really hope this isn’t a mistake,” I said as I packed the candies into containers, careful not to damage any of them in the process.

“Come on! What’s the worst that could happen? Even if the date doesn’t work out and it doesn’t result in love at first sight, or love ever, at least you’ll have made a friend, right?” 

She flipped her curly red hair over her shoulder with a quick gesture and flashed a gleaming smile. It was as contagious as ever, and I relaxed under her gaze. She’d always had a calming effect on me, which was another reason she was the perfect companion for this occasion. 

I let out a deep breath. 

“I guess you’re right. Hopefully, it’ll be fun, and it’s for a good cause, so…” I said as I snapped the lid shut on the final container. 

“Exactly,” she said, helping me pack my loot into bags. “You look hot, and you have a great attitude. Anybody would be crazy not to fall for you. Let’s go get ‘em!” 


I tried to calm my breathing as we stepped into the ballroom where the auction was being held. It was in one of the fanciest hotels in town, and the ambience didn’t disappoint. I took in the scene before me. Guests were already milling about, most of them dressed to the nines. There were cocktail dresses and tuxedos galore, so I was glad I had dressed the part. I didn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb. 

“Straighten out a bit,” Ember whispered with a soft smile. I normally didn’t appreciate random commands, but we were so close that nothing she said could rattle me, and I automatically did as she’d suggested. 

I spotted the table where the candies would be laid out, and we headed in that direction, my loot weighing down my arms. We handed our containers to the organizer, and after some quick greetings, we found our table. The settings were admirable. The tablecloth was exquisite, and the delicate white dinnerware was set off nicely by the gold charger on which it was set. There were eight settings in all, so there was bound to be some good company once everyone took their seats. 

“On second thought,” Ember said, “should we get a cocktail from the bar before settling in?” 

This girl was full of great ideas. I nodded and followed her, checking out all the hot alphas in my path. I was impressed. Everyone was beautiful at this event, and suddenly all my senses were tingling, anticipating the rest of the evening. We chatted with a few friends we ran into along the way, but when the emcee asked everyone to find their places, we had to part ways. 

“See you later, sunshine,” Ember said teasingly. “The next time we see each other, you’ll have a hot date on your arm.” 

“I could only hope,” I said, winking at her. I straightened my tux jacket and stood up tall. 

I headed backstage, with butterflies tumbling around in my stomach. I’d come back to Clearvale just two months ago after having spent the last six years in Minneapolis. I’d been in two long-term relationships while away in the big city, each lasting about a year, but they’d fizzled out, and I was left with a sour taste in my mouth after those experiences. Yet, I kept trying and never gave up hope. I was a true romantic at heart, I guess. And why did I come back to Clearvale? Basically, my business had gone bust. I’d opened a cute little pastry shop and cafe, and my marzipan were the starring features. The tiny animal figures were the most popular out of all the delicious offerings, and for good reason. They were cute as hell, colorful, and tasted like heaven. 

It all went well for a while, but business began sputtering at the one-year mark because of construction along the road where it was located. Customers could no longer park along the road, and no one wanted to stroll down a dusty sidewalk along a construction site.

It was devastating to have to give up and close shop, but I didn’t have a choice. I was bleeding money left, right, and center, and I had no way to stop the flow. So, having admitted defeat, I’d come back home with my tail between my legs. However, I was ready to start again, and I was slowly building up my vision to try again in Clearvale. Cafe culture was something that was sorely missing in our town, and I was excited to fill the void. And I wanted to succeed on both fronts—personal and professional—and thought my hometown was the perfect place to try again. 

Ember was my biggest cheerleader, and my dad came in at a close second. He’d always been such an easygoing and warm-hearted man, and when I’d shown up on his doorstep, feeling like a complete failure after my fruitless stint in the big city, he’d been as gracious as ever. 

He’d welcomed me home with open arms and let me stay at the family home until I found my own place. I’d arrived just before Christmas and spending the holidays with them had been a nice bonus. 

My mom was a little different from Dad. She’d welcomed me, as well, but she hadn’t wanted me to leave in the first place, and once I was gone and had set up my pastry shop, she couldn’t stop with all the business tips. Never mind that she’d never run a business of her own, let alone a restaurant. No, she seemed to know better than anyone else, especially me. I loved her with all my heart, but that shit got tiring fast, and I preferred our discussions to revolve around the latest movie rather than my life. 

As I stood backstage, I decided I’d made the right decision by participating in this auction. God, how I missed cuddling with a warm-bodied alpha. And the thought of a knot deep inside me sent shivers down my spine. Who knew, maybe I’d meet the one tonight. I chit-chatted with some of the other bachelors backstage as the emcee began his repertoire on stage. I was sixth in queue, and my nerves were on fire, tingling at a higher frequency with each passing minute. I couldn’t believe I’d taken the plunge and put myself out there, but anything for love, right?



Saturday Series Spotlight
Season One


Season Three(Valentine's Edition)
Part 1  /  Part 2





Jena Wade
Jena began writing in January of 2013 as a New Year's Resolution--and so far she has stuck to it!

She lives in Michigan. By day she works as a web developer, and at night she writes. Born and raised on a farm, she spends most of her free time outdoors, playing in the garden, or riding her horses. She also helps run the family dairy farm.





Lorelei M Hart

Lorelei M. Hart is the cowriting team of USA Today Bestselling Authors Kate Richards and Ever Coming. Friends for years, the duo decided to come together and write one of their favorite guilty pleasures: Mpreg. There is something that just does it for them about smexy men who love each other enough to start a family together in a world where they can do it the old-fashioned way ;). 





Leyla Hunt
Leyla writes sweet and sexy mpreg. Her alphas are strong and protective, but sweet. Her omegas are lovable and know how to bring their alphas to their knees. And their babies are adorable!

Step into a new world by reading a Leyla Hunt book!



Jena Wade

Lorelei M Hart
EMAIL: Lorelei@mpregwithhart.com

Leyla Hunt



Salted Caramel Chaos by Jena Wade

Lollipop Lovin' by Lorelei M Hart

Marzipan Magic by Leyla Hunt

Season Three

Season One

Season Two

Season Four

Friday, February 17, 2023

πŸ’πŸ’‹πŸ“˜πŸŽ₯Friday's Film AdaptationπŸŽ₯πŸ“˜πŸ’‹πŸ’˜: The Lost Valentine by James Michael Pratt



Summary:

Television reporter Susan Allison is looking for the perfect story about true love, yet she doubts where such a thing really exists. Neil Thomas, Jr. wants to share his parents' bittersweet love story with the world.

On February 14, 1944, Caroline Thomas said good-bye to her beloved husband, a Navy pilot sent to the Pacific. For fifty years, she waited for him--until a miracle happened, and she received his last valentine.

In the present day, when Susan and Neil meet, can the story of Neil's parents bring them together in a love as powerful as she dreams of and he remembers?

James Michael Pratt's The Last Valentine is the basis for the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie The Lost Valentine, starring Betty White.



Television reporter Susan Allison helps a woman find closure years later with her missing-in-action husband from World War II. Along the way, she finds a love of her own.

Release Date: January 30, 2011
Release Time: 100 minutes

Director: Darnell Martin

Cast:
Jennifer Love Hewitt as Susan Allison
Betty White as Caroline Robinson Thomas
Meghann Fahy as Caroline Robinson Thomas (young)
Sean Faris as Lucas Thomas
Gil Gerard as Neil Thomas Jr.
Billy Magnussen as Neil Thomas
Will Chase as Andrew Hawthorne
Nadia Dajani as Julie Oliver
Robert Pralgo as David Oliver
Tom Prusinowski as Navy Chaplain
Victoria Loving as Maggie Thomas





Author Bio:
James Michael Pratt is a New York Times and USA Today, bestselling fiction author. Called "A master of moral fiction," by Booklist, his novels are filled with history-laden plots, conflict, mystery, and romance. 

Since first publishing 7 books beginning in 1998 with St. Martin's Press of NYC and then with Shadow Mountain, Pratt took time to focus upon family, meet health challenges head-on, edit 5 independent titles, produce one war documentary, while writing five additional manuscripts, all to be introduced in full or part during 2021-2025. 

Critics have been kind to Pratt over the years. People Magazine billed Pratt's breakout novel, THE LAST VALENTINE (1998-1999) "A return ticket to Bridges of Madison Country territory." It became a HALLMARK HALL of FAME World Premier Event in 2011 and a CBS Movie of the Week, under the name "The Lost Valentine," starring Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt. 

It was rated the highest viewed program in its category for many years after with 14.5 million viewers on premiere day Jan. 31, 2011. With editions printed in a dozen languages, Pratt continues to receive fan mail from all over the world for both the book and movie after many years in circulation. 


FACEBOOK  /  WEBSITE  /  B&N
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Film
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Thursday, February 16, 2023

πŸ’πŸ’‹πŸ’˜⏳Throwback Thursday's Time Machine⏳πŸ’˜πŸ’‹πŸ’: Valentine's Love by Helena Stone



Summary:
Valentine's Love #1
Ty O’Malley loves Spoilt for Choice, his gift shop. He enjoys nothing more than helping his customers find the perfect present. The only exception is Valentine’s Day. Ever since his partner left him, three years previously, Ty hasn’t been able to enjoy the love-themed holiday, and goes out of his way to avoid dealing with it. This year will be no different — until his assistant interferes.

When Ben Cronin walks into his premises, looking for presents for a man he doesn’t know but has been admiring from afar, Ty can’t deny Ben is everything he would look for in a man — if he happened to be looking, which he isn’t. Besides, Ben has obviously set his sights on someone else.

As Ty instructs Ben in the art of finding the perfect gift, the two men grow closer. But there are only four weeks until Valentine’s Day. After February fourteenth, Ty will probably never see Ben again … Or will he?


Original Review February 2019:
How can anyone not love Ty O'Malley?  I certainly understand his less than favorable feelings toward the whole Valentine's Day concept but one never knows what is around the corner.   As for his shop, Spoilt for Choice, what I wouldn't give to have something similar in my town.  As for Ben Cronin who comes looking for the perfect Valentine gift for a secret crush, his need for that perfect gift is exactly what Ty needs to realize the holiday doesn't have to be all about the heartache he lived three years prior when his partner left him.  Valentine's Love is a beautifully written short novella with incredibly fun and heartwarming characters that are not rushed despite the shortness of pages and brief time period the story is set in.  How I missed this little holiday gem from Helena Stone last year is beyond me but I'm glad I discovered it now.

RATING:



And so it begins … again. 

I’d reached my destination and took a moment to take in the changes in the shop window. Nothing in it resembled the winter wonderland that had been showcased there when I’d left on December thirty-first. The only thing that remained unchanged was the name of my shop, written in gold lettering on the glass: Spoilt for Choice. 

I caught sight of my reflection and puffed out a frustrated breath. Whereas the display greeting me was unique, inviting, and memorable, I could only be described as average—average height, average looks, an average Joe if ever I’d seen one. I shook the thought off; that day and the subsequent month would be hard enough without me thinking myself into a bad mood. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door. 

“Welcome back, boss.” My assistant manager grinned at me when I walked in for the first time in two weeks. 

“Good morning, Claire.” I came to a standstill and allowed my eyes to roam around the familiar and much loved shop floor. “I see you have everything under control, as always.” 

Her grin turned into a smile with more than a touch of relief in it. It was funny how, after working for me for three years, this usually sassy young woman still felt insecure about her talents when it came to decorating the shop with seasonal merchandise.

“You approve then?” 

I raised my eyebrows. “When have I ever disliked your ideas?” 

She shrugged. “There’s a first time for everything. Besides …” 

I waited, wondering whether she’d have the courage to finish that sentence. Not that she needed to say the words. She’d been working for me for long enough to know me and my likes and dislikes. And dislike wasn’t quite a strong enough word when it came to the upcoming annual love-fest known as St. Valentine’s Day. 

The moment she averted her gaze, I knew she wasn’t going to say what was so clearly on the tip of her tongue. 

“I have the coffee made,” she said instead. “Shall I get you a cup?” She turned and walked toward the tiny kitchen in the far corner of the premises, almost before I had the opportunity to nod. 

I sighed, annoyed with myself. My staff shouldn’t feel the need to tiptoe their way around me for the next four weeks, but obviously, that was exactly how it was going to be. Making my way to the center of the shop, I took in the sea of scarlet assaulting my senses and my heart. 

I loved my shop. I first started dreaming about owning a gift shop when I was about fourteen years old. When I found myself in a position to open one, fifteen years later, it had almost felt too good to be true. Even if my partner at the time had viewed the whole project with skepticism, to put it mildly. 

I mentally shook myself and inhaled deeply, hoping against hope to loosen the sudden tightness in my chest. A lot had changed since the day I’d officially opened the store six years earlier.

“Here you go.” Claire had managed to sneak up on me while I’d been lost in my gloomy thoughts and held out a large, Christmas-themed mug filled to the brim with black coffee, or, as I liked to think of it, my chosen elixir. 

“Thank you.” I took a sip before continuing. “You really did very well here. The place looks wonderful … festive. That last word burned on my tongue. For reasons I didn’t want to go into, not even in the privacy of my own thoughts, “festive” was the last word I associated with Valentine’s Day. 

A huge grin erupted on Claire’s face. “I’m so glad you like it. Valentine’s Day is my favorite when it comes to decorating the shop.” She studied me for a moment before adding, “Well, in general really.” 

I forced myself to smile at her. After all, it wasn’t her fault I detested February 14th. In fact, up until three years earlier, I had been as big a fan, if not bigger, of the annual celebration of love as she was. If it hadn’t been for … 

“I know,” I said, forcing my thoughts away from the treacherous path they were threatening to follow. “And it shows. You’ve managed to showcase your love for love in these displays.” 

I wasn’t exaggerating or trying to make her feel good either; the place really did look wonderful … if you happened to be into declarations of undying devotion and the color red. Huge heart-shaped balloons, vases filled with silk roses and tulips, prominent displays of jewelry, and teddy bears of various sizes, to name but a few items, occupied every inch of floor and shelf space. My heart stuttered as soon as my gaze came to rest on those bears. After three years, I could deal with the rest of it, but I didn’t expect to ever reach the point where I could look at those stuffed creatures without remembering what I had lost. To distract myself, I focused on the table featuring jokey gifts, but the humor in the display wasn’t working its magic.

Claire, always the perceptive one, said nothing as she reached out and gently squeezed my upper arm before turning away and walking to the front of the shop to open the door. 

Get a grip, you eejit. The voice screamed in my head. I had to pull myself together and stop acting like a teenager trying to get over his first case of puppy love. I almost laughed out loud when I realized I’d followed the exact same line of thought twelve months previously. 

Determined not to allow myself to drown in melancholic thoughts, I walked to the back of the shop. The premises I owned weren’t big enough to hold a separate office, but I had created a small space for myself behind two large, floor-to-ceiling display cases. I settled behind the tiny desk, placed my almost empty mug in front of me, and turned on the computer. If I couldn’t keep my thoughts and feelings under control while on the shop floor, I’d occupy myself by examining the figures showcasing how the business had performed over the two weeks I had been away on leave. I fully trusted Claire to have run the place efficiently, but it was my livelihood, and it made sense to make sure I was up to speed on all details. 

I barely noticed when, a good stretch of time later, Claire picked up my, by then empty, cup and replaced it with a full one moments later. By the time it occurred to me to thank her, she’d disappeared from view again, and I could hear her talking to a customer. I picked up the drink and listened to the exchange for a moment. 

“No.” Claire sounded emphatic and kind at the same time. “I don’t think you’re too early at all. I like to make my purchases early while there’s still a lot of choice. The closer we get to February 14th, the more predictable and boring the remaining gifts appear to get, don’t you think?” 

“Absolutely.”

Whoever Claire was talking to had a deep and melodious voice, one that captured my attention, almost against my will. Curiosity got the better of me, and I abandoned my figures, walked to the gap between the two sets of shelves, and snuck a look, instinctively taking a small step back when I noticed how close to me they were. Near enough for me to touch the big man’s shoulders without having to do more than raise my arm, should I have wanted to. My assistant was all but invisible, her small posture completely blocked from my view by the broad build of the customer standing with his back to me. 

“So,” Claire asked. “What exactly did you have in mind?” 

“I’m not entirely sure,” he said, his voice betraying both humor and a slight note of uncertainty. “I don’t actually know the person I intend to surprise this Valentine’s Day.

“Oh!” Claire’s exclamation held so much excitement I imagined her bouncing on her toes while she spoke. “A secret admirer; I love it. It sure doesn’t get more romantic than that.” 

Mystery man—how the hell did I end up thinking about him in those terms?—laughed, the sound deep and warm. “Yeah, something like that. And, since I’ve never done anything like this before, I’m going to need all the help I can get.” 

“Tell me something about the person you’re buying for.” 

That was one of the reasons Claire was the perfect employee, as far as I was concerned. She never assumed anything about our customers or who they wanted to surprise with a present. 

“Well,” the man responded. “He’s male and probably more or less my age, although I’m not entirely sure about that last part.” 

“In that case, I shouldn’t be serving you.”

Claire’s remark shocked me to the core. Was she refusing to help a customer because he was looking for a present for another man? It didn’t make sense. I’d told her I was gay before I actually started her formal interview back when she applied to work for me. She’d told me in no uncertain terms that she didn’t care what I was, and her behavior since had always confirmed that statement. From the way the man’s shoulder blades appeared to pull closer together, I surmised he wasn’t impressed with her response either. 

“Let me get my boss.” Claire still sounded friendly and unconcerned, as if completely unaware of the unease she’d just caused. “I’m sure he’s far more qualified to advise you than I am.” 

A moment later, she appeared on the left of the customer, who still faced away from me. The moment she caught my eye, a blush erupted on her face, but her smile didn’t fade, and I didn’t think it had been her choice of words that had caused the redness on her cheeks. 

“Ty, there you are.” 

Much to my amazement, she didn’t appear to be ashamed so much as surprised to find me standing there. Had she really no idea how insulting the implication of what she’d just said had been, both toward me and, far more importantly, toward the customer? 

I glared at her, smoothing my features out again as I noticed the man in question turning to face me. 

For a heartbeat or two, I forgot to breathe as I took in his face and body. If I’d still allowed myself to harbor an image of my ideal partner, he would have been it. I’d already established he was tall and broad just from looking at his back. The frontal view turned what had looked good into perfection. He was a bear, if ever I saw one. His short brown hair looked soft and framed a round and friendly face. His small but full beard didn’t quite succeed in hiding his generous and very kissable lips.

What the fuck? I tried to remember the last time looking at a man had generated such thoughts. Actually, I could. But those were times and a man I’d forbidden myself to think about three years earlier. 

“Allow me to apologize for my assistant’s inexplicable behavior,” I said, not even sorry to drop Claire in it. “How can I help you?” I gave him my full attention but not before I noticed Claire flinching as my words registered. 

“No apology needed.” The man gave me a charming smile, which did nothing to reassure me; far from it in fact. “As I said to this very helpful young lady, I’m looking for one or more presents for a man I’ve been admiring from afar for a few months now, and I’m not quite sure what to get.” His smile stretched wider, turning into a grin. “Until this year, I couldn’t be bothered with Valentine’s Day, so it’s all new to me.” 

Ignoring Claire, I stepped closer to him and steered him toward a display table filled with gifts aimed at male recipients. “Have you any idea what this man might be into?” I asked. 

He thought for a moment, giving me the opportunity to notice that his body was as appealing as his face and back had been. It was hard to tell since he was wearing both a shirt and a sweater under his jacket, but I imagined his body would be mainly muscles with little to no excess fat. I allowed myself to enjoy the fact that I had to tilt my head back a bit when I wanted to make eye contact before giving myself a virtual kick up the backside. For three long years, I hadn’t been able to muster even an ounce of interest in men, regardless of what they looked like. Being attracted to a customer, especially one who had obviously already fallen for another man, was as useless as it was inexplicable.






Author Bio:

Helena Stone can’t remember a life before words and reading. After growing up in a household where no holiday or festivity was complete without at least one new book, it’s hardly surprising she now owns more books than shelf space while her Kindle is about to explode.

The urge to write came as a surprise. The realisation that people might enjoy her words was a shock to say the least. Now that the writing bug has well and truly taken hold, Helena can no longer imagine not sharing the characters in her head and heart with the rest of the world.

Having left the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam for the peace and quiet of the Irish Country side she divides her time between reading, writing, long and often wet walks with the dog, her part-time job in a library, a grown-up daughter and her ever loving and patient husband.


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EMAIL: helenastoneauthor@gmail.com



Valentine's Love #1

Series